Bangladesh entered a new era in city communication system as Honourable Prime Minister (HPM) Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the country's first-ever elevated metro rail in the capital Dhaka. "Metro rail is another achievement of Bangladesh," the premier said opening the 11.73 km part of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6 of the metro rail project by unveiling its plaque. Bangladesh and the Bengali nation have gained prestige all over the world by building the Padma Bridge with its own funding," HPM said, adding, "the people gave Awami League an opportunity to serve by voting for the boat symbol. I thank everyone for that." The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network of about 129 kilometres – 61km being underground – are expected to provide relief to city commuters often stuck in Dhaka's notorious traffic that slows vehicles.

Owing to a raft of measures introduced by HPM Sheikh Hasina in line with social safety net scheme, more than 10 million people at grassroots are receiving allowances digitally. Mobile banking has eliminated the hassle of getting allowances at home which has saved their time too. According to media reports, now 492 upazilas, 80 cities with social development (UCD) activities are being given allowances to 11 types of beneficiaries from a total of 572 units. The rates and number of beneficiaries of various types of allowances including old age allowance, widow allowance, and disability allowance have been increased.

The Awami League announced its new central committee with minor changes at its 22nd National Council last week. HPM Sheikh Hasina was re-elected as party president for the 10th time, while Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was elected general secretary for a third terms. Amid festivity and tight security, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the council by releasing pigeons and balloons at the historic Suhrawardy Uddyan. She sang along to various songs during a cultural program staged after the inauguration.

As a gift for her countrymen in the month of victory, HPM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated as many as 100 highways to traffic in 50 districts, within a month and a half after inaugurating 100 bridges in one day. The new highways -- including national, regional and district highways -- are aimed to ensure a safe and uninterrupted road network as well as help reduce road accidents and travel time. "I expect that people of the country would at least consider how much development was done by those in power for nearly 30 years (1975-1996 and 2001-2009) and what the Awami League governments did," she said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of 100 highways.

The country’s export earnings in the ready-made garments sector increased rapidly from different countries across the World despite the economic crisis. Economists said different countries in the world are facing economic crises due to higher inflation caused by the Ukraine-Russia war. Despite the crisis, developed countries are importing more clothes from Bangladesh than before and Bangladesh holds the second position in the European market and the third position in the US market in the export of ready-made garments. Among the top 10 apparel suppliers in the European Union, Bangladesh has achieved the highest growth.

Remittance witnessed a rising trend and crossed $10 billion during the July-December period after declining for two consecutive months. Remittance from expatriates, one of the main sources of foreign exchange reserves, have started to increase again after various measures taken by Bangladesh Bank, including tough steps against illegal hundi money transferring business. According to the data of Bangladesh Bank, in the first six months (July- till December 23) of the current fiscal year 2022-23, expatriates have sent about $10.07 billion, which was 2.63% more than the same period last fiscal.